Kuyt next season>>>>>>>>>>>Greedy

[dww]

I really like Kuyt as a player I think along with Alonso he might benefit the most of our existing squad from our additions. His strengths are in the area of a second forward who brings people in and if we have Torres + two midfielders breaking past him on a regular basis I think he will get a lot of assists.

I also think he scores a decent amount fo goals if thought of as a second striker. The advantage of playing him in the role though is his strength and the fact he can lead the line and provide a focal point for attacks when needed.

We shall see but I predict Kuyt will be a vital cog in us improving as an attacking force this season.

[homer1]

Can't recall exact figures but I remember reading some stats on Kuyt and something like 90% of his goals were from recieving a direct pass / cross in the box (ie not scoring from outside or bringing the ball into the box himself) - considering he spent so much of his time dropping deep last season, if we can get him into the box more I am sure we will get a better return from him.

[MyEye]

Well...neck on the block time.

Sadly, I think Kuyt is ordinary. An extraordinary work rate but an ordinary footballer.

He's got this season to prove me wrong and I hope he makes me look a right ****.

You and me both, I think he's an awful striker. Another bad buy from Benitez and I believe he'll see more of the bench this season and will probably be sold this time next year. I feel Benitez will go with Veronin and Torres whenever he plays 2 up front (which won't be that often come to think of it).

[Red_Al_77]

Can't believe 14 goals in his debut season in the PL makes him a awful striker.

[MyEye]

Can't believe 14 goals in his debut season in the PL makes him a awful striker.

Ok 'awful' is a bit strong but i stick to the rest.

[Fierce]

You and me both, I think he's an awful striker. Another bad buy from Benitez and I believe he'll see more of the bench this season and will probably be sold this time next year. I feel Benitez will go with Veronin and Torres whenever he plays 2 up front (which won't be that often come to think of it).

Hang on, you feel that VOronin, based on the two PRE SEASON performances you've seen, will take Kuyts place? Kuyt who scored 14 last season and is a year ahead of Voronin in terms of adapting?!

[homer1]

Hang on, you feel that VOronin, based on the two PRE SEASON performances you've seen, will take Kuyts place? Kuyt who scored 14 last season and is a year ahead of Voronin in terms of adapting?!

.... & ahead of our top scorer Crouch

[ELNINO 9]

we need all our strikers to be more clinical and greedy this season

[redblood]

Can't believe 14 goals in his debut season in the PL makes him a awful striker.

Al mate I'd agree with you I think the fact that he played so deep most of the time that's a fairly good return.
This year should see him push forward more and I think we will see a lot more goals from him this season.

[redblood]

we need all our strikers to be more clinical and greedy this season

Good point mate.

[Shaggy]

To the people who think Kuyt will have a more advanced role this season...

Do you think Torres will play in the deeper role? If so, what makes you think that?

I dare say Torres is a much better number 9 than Kuyt. Torres isn't a link man (mind you, neither is Kuyt) so I don't understand this assumption.

I think Kuyt will carry on in the same vein - i.e. spending more time in the centre circle than in the penalty area.

[redblood]

To the people who think Kuyt will have a more advanced role this season...

Do you think Torres will play in the deeper role? If so, what makes you think that?

I dare say Torres is a much better number 9 than Kuyt. Torres isn't a link man (mind you, neither is Kuyt) so I don't understand this assumption.

I think Kuyt will carry on in the same vein - i.e. spending more time in the centre circle than in the penalty area.

That depends on who he's paired with mate you're assuming it's Kuyt and Torres it may not be and also assuming it's 2 up front it also may not be.
Whatever happens I think he will play a more advanced role and will have better service than last season I think Kuyt will initially get more game time then Torres.

[dww]

To the people who think Kuyt will have a more advanced role this season...

Do you think Torres will play in the deeper role? If so, what makes you think that?

I dare say Torres is a much better number 9 than Kuyt. Torres isn't a link man (mind you, neither is Kuyt) so I don't understand this assumption.

I think Kuyt will carry on in the same vein - i.e. spending more time in the centre circle than in the penalty area.

I think that the pair will mix it up. Kuyt is more physical and able to hold the ball up and play people in. He needs people coming from deep running on to his knock ons, chest downs, flick ons etc. This is best done with players with pace/acceleration - such as Torres. I think thought that in extended build up play Kuyt is more likely to drop and get involved than Torres - however I haven't seen enarly enough of our new boy to say that for sure.

I also think that part of the reason Kuyt dropped back is because we rarely kept the ball in the final third an often cam up against two banks of 4. Perhaps the fact Torres has controlled pace will keep opposition defences deeper meaning he can advance more.

To be honest I think the major improvement for Kuyt will be the hopeful added threat on goal from midfield opening up space and giving more scraps to follow up on.

[carheex]

Ok 'awful' is a bit strong but i stick to the rest.

Agreed. Benni McCarthy scored 10 more and only cost 2.5m - I know who I'd rather have.

[Jop]

I had a brief chat with Kuyt last night at the EPL function in Hong Kong and as a bit of a wind up i told him i expect 20 goals from him this season but could settle on 15. He said he will be trying his best to get as many as he can but the main thing was that we win the league whoever gets the goals which i believe is the mentality the whole team have.
These boys play the way and in the positions Rafa wants them to play so its not like Kuyt or anyone else can go out there and say sod the plan i'm playing this game my way.
In my opinion Kuyt will see out this season and a few more after that with Liverpool.

By the way as an ambassador for the club the boy was top drawer.